Saturday, May 13, 2006

There's a reason I've been AWOL from this blog for the past couple of weeks. I have a long birth story to tell but that will have to be for another day. Here's the high level:

I developed a severe form of preeclampsia very quickly, literally overnight. In a span of 3 days, I went from my normal routine to Suddenly Motherhood. The complications from the preeclampsia made the labor long (26 hours after induction) and the delivery quite torturous (back labor with very little epidural effect). Plus, I had to have an assisted birth (vacuum) because the baby was stuck and I was exhausted and panicked.

When Karalyn finally showed up, though, it was like a miracle had just happened. I still get teary-eyed when I think about it all.

I was in the hospital for another 3 days while the doctor tried to get my blood pressure and edema under control - don't I look like I have Gary Coleman cheeks?? As of this writing, the baby is still in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She is doing wonderfully well - she's off any medications, she's eating well (I have already started to breasfeed) and she doesn't seem to be suffering any ill effects from all that had happened in utero and during L&D.

Everyone says she is a princess, though. She knows what she wants (a diaper change, feeding, etc) and gets it. I don't have a problem with that.

It's so hard to leave her at the hospital after a visit and I can't wait to have her home. So far I am enjoying everything about motherhood that I am allowed to experience. I feel so very, very lucky.

Karalyn EveMay 7, 2006 3:50pm4 lbs 14 oz17 inches

(BTW, I finished Kristy's baby blanket! And right now I've knitting a hat for Karalyn. Preemie clothes and hats are very hard to find - knitters who have donated crocheted and knitted hats are angels.)